Two spirits better than one?

The LGBTTQ community is one that makes up a sizeable part of the population.  And within this community, there are many labels that members identify with.  Whether it’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Two-Spirited, or Queer, most of us understand how one would identify with one or more of these labels.  The orientation that often stands out as being misinterpreted or misunderstood is that of a Two Spirited identity.  What does it mean and where does the term come from?   I must admit, I felt pretty ignorant, for I hadn’t really understood the meaning, until recently.  But I feel as though I’m not alone, for I had asked others what they had felt it meant, and many were at a loss. In their mission statement for Projet/Project Interaction, the McGill School of Social Work defines Two Spirited as an aboriginal belief that dates back to a time prior to European colonization.  Based on anthropological evidence, it was believed that there was an existence of three genders: male, female, and male-female, the latter being considered a Two Spirited individual (McGill, 2006).  It was also believed that those who were given the gift of possessing two spirits could see the world from both male and female perspectives, enabling them to achieve and understand an exceptional equilibrium between both the male and female worlds.  Those who were given the gift were highly respected and held important traditional positions within the community (McGill, 2006).  That said, two spirited individuals can be men or women who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered.

            Unfortunately, with the onset of European colonization and the imposition of Christian values on First Nations peoples, the tradition of two-spiritedness as well as many other traditional practises had been eradicated, while morals and values regarding sexuality were replaced by the church, and “Elders who may know the stories and teachings are often afraid to talk about them because of their experiences in Residential Schools and other forms of Colonization.” (Laframboise & Anhorn, 2008) Due to the ramifications of cultural genocide that have wreaked havoc on aboriginal culture, it’s hard to deny the impact that the church’s ideologies have had on Aboriginal people’s perception of themselves and others regarding sexuality.  

Despite the honour and respect that was traditionally given to those who were two-spirited before colonization, indigenous Canadians have experienced (and still experience) an extremely painful, convoluted, and oppressive history regarding sexuality since colonization.  With issues that stemmed from sexual abuse that was prevalent in Residential Schools and the Christian values that were imposed, as well as current issues regarding exploitation at home and on the streets, it seems much confusion and alienation regarding sexuality would result.  It also seems that many who identify as two-spirited have difficulty finding support and health services within their communities that are sensitive to their needs.  One survey completed by two-spirited aboriginal males, most of whom had lived on reserves, reported that “Less than half would consider moving back to their home community citing a lack of services, a lack of acceptance, and a lack of employment as major reasons” (Monette, Albert & Whalen, 2001). The survey also reported that issues such as unemployment, poor housing, racism, poverty, homophobia, and physical abuse were negative sociological factors that negatively affected their lives (Monette, et al. ,2001).  

              Though these findings are disconcerting, it seems that people are taking initiative to acknowledge and speak publicly about social issues that affect two-spirited men and women.  Winnipeg’s own Albert McLeod, the volunteer leader of a group called Two-Spirited People of Manitoba, was chosen to speak at a sharing circle of the Truth and Reconciliation hearings into residential school abuse back in June, 2010, where he publicly identified himself as a gay man. He continues to advocate for better services for two-spirited individuals who have left their communities due to lack of support (Hasselriis, Xtra!, 2010).  Other programs, such as the Two-Spirited Youth Program, which is administered under the Vancouver’s Urban Native Youth Association, are designed to focus on the intergenerational impacts that history has had on Two-Spirited youth, and use counselling and support group activities as a means to empower and educate youth. “What we do is try to break the cycle as we carry on, which is what the program is all about,” says Gil Lerat, the youth counsellor who runs the program, “Healing takes time.” (INAC.gc.ca, 2000)

I believe that these programs are a step in the right direction, and it shows that there is a light at the end of the tunnel for the two-spirited, who may feel isolated or as if they lack support.  Part of the healing process is coming together and finding commonality, which will in turn, help us find our voice and give us the power and strength to educate and facilitate change.  As Albert McLeod so eloquently put, “In order to advance human rights, you have to value your identity.” Thanks for reading.

 Julia

References: 

Hasselriis, K., (June, 2010). Winnipegger speaks up for gay Aboriginals at national hearings, Xtra! Canada’s Gay and Lesbian News. Retrieved from: http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/Winnipegger_speaks_up_for_gay_Aboriginals_at_national_hearings-8825.aspx

Laframboise, S., Anhorn, M., (2008). The way of the two spirited people: Native American concepts of gender and sexual orientation. Dancing to Eagle Spirit Society. Retrieved from: http://www.dancingtoeaglespiritsociety.org/twospirit.php

Monette, L., Albert, D., Whalen, J. (2001). Voices of two-spirited men, 2-Spirited People of the 1^st Nations, Centre for Quality Service Research, Ryerson Polytechnic University, Toronto. Retrieved from: http://www.2spirits.com/

Two-spirited people, (2006). University of McGill, retrieved from: http://www.mcgill.ca/interaction/mission/twospirit/

Wilson, J. F., (August, 2000). Two-spirited youth program. Dreamspeaker. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Retrieved from: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/nr/nwltr/drm/su2000/tsny_e.html

Image retrieved from: http://twospiritedjournal.tripod.com/